Matches to Make After UFC 122

This assumes Silva gets past Vitor
Belfort at UFC 126 in February, which is a big “if.” That
aside, I want to see the promotional angle of how the UFC would
convince fans that Okami has much of a chance. He won via
disqualification off an illegal upkick in their first fight in
Rumble on the Rock in 2006, and that’s likely his best shot at
winning today. Sometimes you need some red meat thrown to the
audience to remind you of why fighters like Silva are such rare
gems. This is that chunk of meat. Enjoy, and do not forget to pass
the ranch dressing.

Siver’s ground game is no longer a secret, as he utilized a quick
submission following a devastating left hand and choked out the
talented Andre
Winner. But let’s face it. Nothing’s more exciting than two
kickboxing-oriented guys locking horns. Stout’s two bouts against
Spencer
Fisher were instant classics, and a clash with Siver would be
everything you want to see in a fight: spinning back kicks, fluid
combinations, rollicking action and rallies from the brink. It
would also be a nice sorting-out style match, as both would get a
good boost up the ranks with a win if the fight were made. Stout
could not be in a boring fight if he tried, and Siver would be
willing to stand and trade with him in what would be a great
matchup.

Sadollah was workmanlike and his usual efficient self in
decisioning Peter
Sobotta. With his cerebral tactics and well-rounded skills,
it’s time for him to jump into deeper waters. He will always give
up size and wrestling pedigree to weight-cutting takedown artists,
so a match with Serra would be a good litmus test for both. For
Serra, the ex-champ’s stand-up is pretty strong, as witnessed in
his impressive knockout of Frank Trigg.
However, Serra looked a little flat in his rematch loss to Chris Lytle.
To Serra’s credit, he’s willing to stand and bang before reverting
to a ground fight, which would be a compelling test for Sadollah.
Sadollah’s muay Thai and underrated ground game would make this an
interesting fight and a worthwhile measuring stick for his
career.

For a UFC debut, Rocha was exceptionally impressive, delivering a
kneebar submission over "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 11 finalist
Kris
McCray. You hardly ever see people deliver fight-finishing leg
submissions these days, and that suggests Rocha’s jiu-jitsu game is
as good as advertised. A match against the hardened Pierce would be
a natural next step. Pierce has been a tough soldier in four UFC
bouts, losing via decision to Jon Fitch and
beating Brock
Larson, Julio
Paulino and Amilcar
Alves. Rocha adjusted very well in his first UFC bout and
figures only to get better. This would be the kind of match to tell
us a lot more about both guys, and a wrestler like Pierce is often
the best test for a Brazilian with a good submission game.